Social Security has lifted millions of seniors out of poverty, but it's under attack. In our latest episode, Dean Baker sits down with Nancy Altman, who's spent 50 years defending this critical program. Nancy cuts through the political noise to reveal what's really happening: how interference in the Social Security Administration puts our data at risk, why the system is actually incredibly efficient, and how fraud claims are being weaponized to undermine public trust. This isn't just about retirees. Social Security affects every working American, and the threats Nancy and Dean discuss could impact your future benefits. They make the case for why we need to strengthen - not weaken - this essential safety net.

In this episode, we are talking about the tipped minimum wage with Dr. Sylvia Allegretto, CEPR Senior Economist. unpacks the little-known but widespread practice of paying tipped workers a sub-minimum wage—just $2.13 an hour at the federal level since 1991. Dean and Sylvia discuss how this "tip credit" system effectively shifts much of the wage burden from employers to customers, enables wage theft, and leaves millions of workers vulnerable, while highlighting policy solutions and the need for reform.

Today's episode looks at the inefficiencies and inequities of the current U.S. healthcare system, highlighting the administrative waste and barriers to care created by private insurance, and explore how a single-payer system could deliver universal coverage, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes. The conversation also addresses the political and economic pathways to achieving Medicare for All, including the potential for major savings on prescription drugs and the feasibility of financing universal healthcare through a reallocation of current spending and targeted tax reforms.

Dean Baker talks with healthcare journalist Jonathan Cohn about the historic assault on Medicaid at the heart of the 2025 budget bill. The proposed legislation would slash hundreds of billions in federal funding for essential healthcare programs. They discuss how "work requirements" create bureaucratic traps rather than jobs, while revealing the cynical strategy to delay the harshest cuts until 2029. The Affordable Care Act has transformed healthcare access, giving workers newfound freedom and security. Now, the ACA is also on the chopping block.

The untold story behind efforts to make life-saving HIV/AIDS drugs accessible across Africa. Love recounts his pivotal role in breaking down patent barriers and negotiating steep price reductions—transforming treatment from an unaffordable $10,000–$15,000 a year to just a few hundred dollars—thereby saving millions of lives and shaping global health policy. The conversation also explores ongoing challenges in drug pricing, regulatory barriers, and innovative alternatives to the current pharmaceutical patent system.

An in-depth discussion on the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the American Rescue Plan, and the broader successes and challenges of the Biden administration's economic policies. Together, they analyze the trade-offs between inflation and full employment, the underappreciated gains for low-wage workers, and the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing through targeted industrial policy. The conversation also explores the complexities of economic messaging, the realities of supply chain shocks, and the ongoing debate over tariffs and industrial strategy.

Mentioned during this episode:
Dean Baker and Jared Bernstein Wall Street Journal Article

Recorded: March 26, 2025

Dean Baker sits down with Stephanie Kelton to unpack the core ideas of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). Kelton dispels common misconceptions about government spending, emphasizing that the real constraint on public programs is not money, but the availability of real resources like skilled workers and infrastructure. The conversation explores the mechanics of government finance, the implications of deficits, and current policy debates, including the risks posed by tax enforcement cuts and the impact of rising interest payments. Together, Baker and Kelton offer a fresh perspective on federal budgeting, inequality, and the economic challenges ahead.